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California's Oldest Newspaper - Est. 1851Tue, 03 Mar 2015 19:14:34 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.1Gay Berge lives by Golden Rulehttp://www.mtdemocrat.com/special-sections/women-in-business-2014/gay-berge-lives-by-golden-rule/
http://www.mtdemocrat.com/special-sections/women-in-business-2014/gay-berge-lives-by-golden-rule/#commentsSat, 01 Feb 2014 01:15:16 +0000http://www.mtdemocrat.com/?p=397034In the nearly 30 years she’s been a Realtor, Gay Berge has never forgotten what it’s like to be the customer. “I live by The Golden Rule,” she said. “I’m a strong Christian and I believe if you do unto others as you would have them do unto you then you can’t go wrong.”

Berge teamed with her husband Larry when he earned his license in 1992. “Larry is my partner for life,” said Berge. “Our motto is: Committed to each other, committed to our clients.”

With their complementary strengths and abilities — she’s the “people person” and marketer while he’s the behind-the-scenes guy and “technology whiz” — they are able to offer their clients a perspective few individuals can.

“I’m a true relocation specialist,” said Berge. “I moved 19 times between the ages of birth and 18. When I married my husband 40 years ago we’ve only moved five times and have been in our current home for 27 years.”

The Berges have two grown children and two grandsons; one will graduate from Ponderosa this year.

Gay moved to Re/Max Gold from Cook & Cook Realty in 1999. She loves living in Shingle Springs and having her office in Cameron Park, though she works all over the county. “I look forward to getting up and looking at nature every day,” she said. “It’s a beautiful region to live and work.”

A lifetime member of the El Dorado County Association of Realtors and a past director, Gay is also a lifetime member of Top Achievers. She belongs to the National Association of Realtors, the California Association of Realtors and the Council of Residential Specialists. She’s earned the Graduate, Realtor Institute designation. She is also a certified residential specialist and a certified distressed property “shortsale” expert.

Though the Berges work with clients of all ages and backgrounds, Gay said she’s been working a lot lately with seniors and adult children who have lost their parents, a stark reminder of the county’s aging population.

In her downtime Gay is active at her church — Church of the Foothills. In her 25 years in youth ministry, she’s been an AWANA (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed) leader for young children and is now enjoying her role as a Trek (middle school bible study) leader for teens.

Berge has seen the ups and downs in the market, but said this is a great time to buy and sell real estate. “Interest rates are low and there are some beautiful properties out there,” she said.

Living The Golden Rule has been the secret of success in both her personal and work life. “When new agents come in, I always tell them, ‘It’s very simple. If you live your life and practice real estate with The Golden Rule in mind you can’t go wrong.’”

View Gay and Larry Berge’s website at lberge.com for more information, including current listings. You can also reach them by calling (530) 677-1536. Their office is located at 3317 Coach Drive in Cameron Park in the Food4Less shopping center.

]]>http://www.mtdemocrat.com/special-sections/women-in-business-2014/gay-berge-lives-by-golden-rule/feed/0Andi Wagner and Shawn Allan join Lyon Real Estatehttp://www.mtdemocrat.com/special-sections/women-in-business-2014/andi-wagner-and-shawn-allan-join-lyon-real-estate/
http://www.mtdemocrat.com/special-sections/women-in-business-2014/andi-wagner-and-shawn-allan-join-lyon-real-estate/#commentsSat, 01 Feb 2014 00:41:24 +0000http://www.mtdemocrat.com/?p=397046Realtors Andi Wagner and Shawn Allan joke that they have a common understanding growing up as girls with boys’ names. Perhaps that’s one reason why they work closely together in the real estate business.

Their personalities are complementary. Wagner, a high-energy, fast-talking former city girl from Southern California, is a classic extrovert, outgoing and sociable. Allan, also from Southern California, is more the friendly listener, thoughtful and measured in her speech.

Last year they each interviewed with Lyon Real Estate in Placerville. The discussions went well on all sides, and as of this January they have officially joined the team.

Wagner began her career in real estate in 2005. A friend who sold real estate suggested she “would be great” in the business. It was the beginning of the economic slide, and going into the real estate business was considered risky. Taking the positive view, Wagner said, “Things happen to people. They still need to buy and sell homes.”

She started at Pony Express Realty as an agent, and got her broker’s license in 2008.

“I love my clients. They’re so appreciative. I enjoy real estate. It’s my passion,” she said. “I believe that if you have good customer service, honesty and integrity, you will succeed.”

Wagner is a member of the El Dorado County Association of Realtors Board of Directors and EDCAR’s Top Achievers Club president. To become a Top Achiever, Realtors have to have a minimum of $2.5 million in annual sales with at least 10 escrows completed solely by them. She is also active in Team 2000 Real Estate Networking Group.

With two children in sports, Wagner also sponsors high school sports. Son Jakob, 15, plays soccer at El Dorado High School. Daughter Alexis, 10, plays basketball. Her husband Kaleb, a contractor, is a big supporter of her career.

For Allan, real estate is her second career. She worked in foster care for years but after a while found it emotionally draining, she said.

“I decided I needed to get into a more positive environment.” Allan and her husband Scott, who works at Thompsons in Placerville, had bought and sold a number of homes. “I liked the idea of selling someone their dream home.”

A friend suggested that if she wanted to go into real estate she should talk to Wagner, who had her own brokerage at the time. In 2010, Allan got her agent’s license and went to work for Wagner. “I entered into a declining market,” she said. “I just drafted behind Andi and followed her. I’ve been more successful than I thought.”

Shawn and Scott have five children. Four of them are on their own. Lindsey, 12, attends Sierra Ridge Middle School. “I’m a dance mom,” said Allan. She supports On Stage Productions in Pollock Pines, where her daughter is training to be accepted in the Disneyland Parade.

Allan received her broker’s license in 2013. “I love the fact that I’ve become friends with my clients,” she said. “I hope 2014 provides new opportunities for first time and move up buyers and sellers.”

Both Wagner and Allan look forward to working with Lyon Real Estate, citing great management support and the ability to work with other professional Realtors. The office is located at 4330 Golden Center Drive, Suite C, off Missouri Flat Road. Contact Wagner at 530-409-3984. Contact Allan at 530-306-8709.

]]>http://www.mtdemocrat.com/special-sections/women-in-business-2014/andi-wagner-and-shawn-allan-join-lyon-real-estate/feed/0Intero Placerville team knows the business and the countyhttp://www.mtdemocrat.com/special-sections/women-in-business-2014/intero-placerville-team-knows-the-business-and-the-county/
http://www.mtdemocrat.com/special-sections/women-in-business-2014/intero-placerville-team-knows-the-business-and-the-county/#commentsFri, 31 Jan 2014 11:47:01 +0000http://www.mtdemocrat.com/?p=394936Sticking close to their roots, Tommee Briggs and Kathy Withrow (aka Team TomKat) have built a solid reputation in El Dorado County’s real estate community.

The longtime business partners opened their Intero Real Estate Services office on Placerville nearly two years ago and, along with Realtor Associate Nadean Music, do everything they can to help clients buy and sell their homes. By “tapping into a client’s personality” the women use all their resources to find a home that fits their wants, needs and, of course, budget.

“I like the challenge of finding that perfect property or finding a buyer for a unique home,” Briggs said.

Briggs, a fifth generation El Dorado County resident who raised the sixth generation here, said she’d thought about a real estate career for years and took courses while she worked as an ROP contract director. She’s been in the business since 2001 and Withrow, also a longtime county resident whose family owned the Ace Hardware on Broadway, joined the following year. Withrow’s husband is a broker and led her into the career. A love of houses and decorating sparked Briggs’ interest through both she and Music, a 12-year real estate veteran who previously worked in ad sales, said the reasons that pull you into a real estate career aren’t necessarily the reasons you stay.

All three credited their successes to their persistence and commitment. Last year, they sold 40 homes out of one office.

“(Real estate) is challenging,” Music said. “It keeps you on your toes all the time and it stretches you … you’re always learning.”

The three professionals said they enjoy their partnership with Intero, which has a big market share in the Bay Area (from where many new El Dorado County residents migrate). This, and Intero’s commitment to technology and saturation, allows them to effectively market county homes to those seeking a more rural and peaceful life. Intero also has a luxury division — Prestigio — that markets upscale homes all over the world.

They also said variety and people they meet — clients and industry professionals — make the job fun.

“I like the fact that every day is different,” Withrow said, “and I meet a lot of interesting people.”

When they’re not closing deals, each Realtor has their ways to unwind. Briggs travels to Vancouver, Wash., to visit her four grandchildren. Music loves to hit the slopes and noted the disappointing ski season thus far while Withrow often travels to the Bay Area to visit her children.

Predictions for real estate in 2014: It’s a good time to buy and sell. “After that, we’ll see,” Music said.

Intero Real Estate Placerville is located at 990 Marshall Way, Suite B, Placerville. For more information call Tommee Briggs at 530-303-4044, Kathy Withrow at 530-303-4045 and Nadean Music at 530-306-4356. You can also visit Briggs and Withrow on Facebook, facebook.com/TeamTomKats.

]]>http://www.mtdemocrat.com/special-sections/women-in-business-2014/intero-placerville-team-knows-the-business-and-the-county/feed/0Penny Wafford, Intero Prestigio take real estate to new heightshttp://www.mtdemocrat.com/special-sections/women-in-business-2014/penny-wafford-intero-prestigio-take-real-estate-to-new-heights/
http://www.mtdemocrat.com/special-sections/women-in-business-2014/penny-wafford-intero-prestigio-take-real-estate-to-new-heights/#commentsFri, 31 Jan 2014 11:05:00 +0000http://www.mtdemocrat.com/?p=397037Buying a dream home is one thing. But when it comes time to sell, how can luxury homeowners ensure they get the best price possible?

“The only way to ensure you are getting top dollar for your home is to make sure it is properly exposed in the luxury marketplace,” said Penny Wafford, Realtor with Intero Realty in El Dorado Hills. “What many homeowners don’t realize, however, is that a whopping 69 percent of luxury homebuyers today are foreign or foreign-born. Selling your home is no longer just about local or national advertising. Now, you’re looking at a global audience.”

This is where Intero Prestigio, Intero Realty’s fully dedicated luxury division, steps in. Intero Prestigio is a collection of the finest and most exclusive homes nationwide and is designed to help homeowners reach millions of potential buyers across the globe. Homeowners work with Wafford and the Intero Prestigio marketing department to create a custom four-page color brochure distributed by agents to local buyers. Local mailings are also sent out, and custom advertisements are placed in local newspapers, lifestyle magazines and other publications.

“Technology is key. It’s the most exciting part of the program,” said Wafford. “When customers sign up with Intero Prestigio, their homes are highlighted as a luxury listing on InteroRealEstate.com in the Intero Prestigio Showcase. These ads are translated into more than 50 different languages and currencies and include a virtual tour with color photographs of each home. Homeowners also receive an exclusive listing in our virtual magazine, which is sent out to our extensive list of Intero agents as well as to thousands of subscribers worldwide.”

When homeowners sign up with Intero Prestigio, their homes’ photographs, videos and information are also posted on the world’s most popular social media sites — Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube.

“Globalization has been the buzzword for some time now, yet nowhere is it as real and apparent as in the high-end real estate market,” said Alain Pinel, world-renowned luxury property expert and industry icon who recently spoke at an exclusive Intero event in El Dorado Hills. “Technology is a game-changer, and at Intero, technology is what sets us apart. Through our Luxury Listing Syndication, we put the pieces together so that sellers can know their property is being properly exposed in the luxury marketplace and that they are getting the best price for their home.”

Wafford has been a real estate agent for the past 25 years and has been with Intero since its inception in 2002. “We are the largest brokerage in the Silicon Valley where a lot of (El Dorado County’s) buyers come from,” she said. “It’s a fun, exciting career, and I love all aspects of it. Every single client is a completely different experience, and it’s a great feeling when you find a good match. There’s nothing like it.”

For more information about Intero Realty and Intero Prestigio visit InteroRealEstate.com or call Wafford at 916-770-6027.